Pubdate: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 Source: Dothan Eagle, The (AL) Copyright: 2005 The Dothan Eagle Contact: http://www.dothaneagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3077 Author: Lance Griffin, Eagle Staff Writer TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST? Random Drug Testing a Challenge, Opportunity for School Systems A 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving a school district in Oklahoma upheld the district's policy that requires all middle and high school students to submit to random drug screening in order to participate in any extracurricular activity. To read the case, click here. The Supreme Court in 1995 upheld a New Jersey school district policy forcing students to consent to suspicionless drug testing in order to participate in interscholastic sports. To read the case, click here. Random drug testing in high schools can work, according to one administrator whose system has tested student athletes for 10 years. However, systems choosing to implement the program will face a variety of challenges, from selecting proper policies and procedures to dodging legal hurdles to finding money to pay for the costly program. The Dothan School Board asked its attorney this week to research the legality of random drug testing programs. The proposal came on the heels of a local citizen's request for the board to appoint a task force to study the issue. Some board members said the idea is worth considering, while others are reserving judgment. Legal precedent appears to prohibit random drug testing of the entire student body. However, a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving a school district in Oklahoma upheld the district's policy that requires all middle and high school students to submit to random drug screening in order to participate in any extracurricular activity. Critics of random drug testing believe the program is an invasion of students' privacy. They also contend drug testing programs fail because at-risk students will simply choose not to participate in extracurricular activities, effectively isolating them from outlets at school that might be helpful. But Jerry Browning, athletic director at Hoover High School near Birmingham, said he believes Hoover's random drug testing program for athletes has been a successful deterrent. "I think it lets the kids know this is not something we are going to condone or allow to happen," said Browning, who said Hoover has been testing athletes since about 1994. "Does it stop all of them? No. But, I don't think it hurts anything." Browning said the Hoover system hires an independent company to administer the program. He said approximately 10 percent of all students on athletic rosters are selected twice per year through a randomly-generated computer printout compiled by another independent company. Those students are asked to submit urine samples, which are then sent off to an independent laboratory. If a student tests positive, the laboratory notifies the student's parents and asks if there are any factors that might cause a false positive. The athletic director is then notified. The student then has a right to request the testing of a second sample taken during the initial test. If that comes back positive, the student is suspended from his or her sport for two weeks, or 25 percent of the season. Further penalties are incurred for additional positive tests and a student must test negative before being allowed back on the team. A counseling program is also part of the treatment options for students who test positive. District 1 Dothan City School Board member Earl Jones said a drug testing program could be beneficial if prevention is the main priority and not punishment. "It could be a very useful tool, but only if you are trying to identify the deficiencies and prevent the activity. If you are just testing to exclude, then that is bad," Jones said. Jones also said it would be difficult for him to support the program unless the entire student body was eligible for testing. "I think if you can test one student, then all students should be eligible," Jones said. Steve Stokes, who has a child at Dothan High, said several questions would need to be answered before supporting the idea. "How is it going to be set up? What are the secrecy and confidentiality aspects? What if there is an error in the testing? That could damage a kid forever. And, what is the purpose of the test?" Stokes said. "The critical thing is that the parents must be involved in this," Stokes added. "I wouldn't want to see anything done without the parents' permission." Dothan resident Ron Ellis, who has a child at Northview High, said he would support the program if properly administered. Browning said the tests cost about $30 per student, part or all of which can be absorbed through grant money. He said one of the most important factors in administering the program is removing the school system from the process. "The school, the coaches and the administration should not be involved in the testing in any way," Browning said. "This needs to be totally independent." Browning said all parents whose children participate in athletics must sign a consent form at the beginning of the season. He said Hoover tests for amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, barbiturates, marijuana, cocaine, angel dust and even tobacco. District 4 board member Jimmy Addison said he attended drug testing seminars while head football coach at Dothan High and is intrigued with the possibility of appointing a task force. "A lot of times people have the impression that you're just going out there trying to hunt and find somebody. That's not it at all," Addison said. "There may be some students out there who are experimenting, and in turn, could lead to a problem. If we can identify the problem at an early age, then maybe we can help them before it gets too late." Addison added that he believed any random drug testing program should not be confined to one segment of the student population. "To me, if you're singling out athletes, then you're discriminating," Addison said. Browning said only athletes are screened in the Hoover system. However, he said other systems randomly test all students involved in extracurricular activities. He said something as common as applying for a parking permit could be considered an extracurricular activity. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)